SW Motech skid plate failure

[Omni Dan]

I just took a minor hit to my very expensive SW Motech skid plate while riding on a Forest Service Road. I ride a 650 V-Strom and installed the plate to protect my vulnerables from errant rocks etc. The very first impact and I have broken rivets!!!! What a poor design. The SW Motech reply to the damage and I quote " it protected your engine didn't it?" I said, "but now your product is a worthless piece of aluminum". "Sorry, it did as it was designed to do, it protected your motor, any impact voids your warranty" What a load. So if you are considering this Farkle consider this: it is a nice looking product, that is not designed to take any impacts, should never be taken off road, doesn't fit well with Givi crash bars, has a hokey adapter plate for the bars, and has zero manufacturer support if it fails. Be advised that SW Motech does not stand behind this product, nor does the retailer that I will not name. Any suggestions for a bash plate that actually can take a hit on keep on ticking?

[MrPulldown]

If you just busted a rivit you can re-rivit or bolt it back together.

Lame-YES: but it did protect your engine didn't it

[wingnut11]

http://shop.enduroguardian.com/Steel...ST-BRKT-UP.htm

You won't be disappointed.

[ph0rk]

What sort of impact? Did you try to jump a curb or something?

[bomber60015]

not trying to slag anyone, but I can't imagine a riveted bash plate -- clearly, there IS such an animal, but I'm not sure I'd install it (or buy it if I knew) . . . .

[trailNtent]

I have the same one on my wee. I agree, it's a total POS.

[FlowBee]

Rivets? Seriously?

It's too bad Pat Walsh doesn't make a skid plate for the DL. The PWD skid plate on my DR650 is a built like a friggin' brick outhouse. Thick aluminum, solid welds, large fasteners. Maybe start pestering PWD to have them make one for the DL.....?

(not meant as spam, no affiliation)

[ABHulgan]

The Motech plate for the Tiger 800's is also riveted, but I think the rivets are probably stronger than Triumph's lame-o mounting points. If you can't weld aluminum, most fab/welding shops will do it for you for a nominal fee.

[perterra]

So quit bitchin and fix it, bolt, rivet or weld it. Add character.

[Omni Dan]

Thanks for the responses. To be clear, I hit a rock, the type that goes clank on the skid plate, not crunch like a big crash. I was going about 5mph on an uphill. If I rode like crazy man in the dirt, I wouldn't be on Strom. I don't have a big dent or anything on the plate, just a scuff. As to re riveting or bolting it, why bother. I would consider welding it but I really have no confidence in the product, and I never have liked the way it mounted on Givi bars. Looks like something a high school kid made up in welding shop. I will toss it in with the recycling next week and look for something that does what a skid plate is supposed to do, protect the engine and stay in one piece. As to bitchin about something that breaks so easily, I guess I'm spoiled, I ride a V-Strom, it doesn't fail when used properly.

[DSM8]

I have the Pat Walsh skid plate crash bar combo. Side impact tested on the freeway @ 45 mph by a hit and run driver.

Bike went down hard.

Plate stood up to it and broke but it was a big hit. My new strom has the same things. Luv em cause you can also lift the bike via the skid plate with a jack.

Just my .02

[Hikertrash]

That sucks, I never knew any skid plates were riveted. I never liked any of their products and always thought they were 2nd or 3rd tier. Too bad Black Dog doesn't make Strom skid plates. I would look into that Enduroguardian plate. I hate buying expensive stuff, but if I only have to buy it once, then I'll be happy. I can see them saying it was sacrificial if you hit a big boulder, but not fire road stones.

[freetors]

Can we see some pics? Theoretically speaking, a riveted construction could be just as strong (or stronger) than a welded piece.

[TwoShots]

You acknowledge it was cheese, but installed and used it with an expectation it would perform as something better? You knew it was riveted, right?

Your engine/lower parts were spared damage.

And now you're angry with the retailer.

Wow.

[Unstable Rider]

Like front and rear collision impact on a car, the actual collapsing of the materials is what takes up the energy. "Heavy metal" not always the answer. Like making issue with a foam filled car bumper after it just saved your life... "jeez, look at my bumper, it's wrecked now"......

Fooey on the Strom for running exhaust and a oil filter right out there where it's likely to get smacked, I say.

Great bike, but who thunk that stuff up..... if we are making issues with design flaws?